Tira Mitchell

Originally from Clifton Park in upstate New York and a graduate of Boston University, Tira began engraving in 1993 with rotary tools on egg shells in Omaha, Nebraska. An Air Force wife at the time, in 1995 she moved to northern California. There, Tira approached Fairfield Cycle, a Harley Davidson™ dealer, and asked about custom engraving on Harleys. Her first work on metal was a fully engraved custom cycle in an art deco style named "Avalon". With that first bike, she began her training with Benno Heune of Modesto, California, who introduced her to the basics of tool making, pneumatic gravers and basic metallurgy.

In 1999 Tira relocated permanently to Doylestown, Pennsylvania. She continued engraving motorcycles and expanded into firearms, jewelry, knives and musical instruments. Always interested in unique works, Tira has engraved unusual items like brass bells for fire trucks, military installations and yachts. She also restores rare and collectible items like parts for classic cars.

Tira has studied engraving with well known engravers including Ken Hunt and Winston Churchill. In 2008, Tira started teaching engraving at the GRS Training Center in Emporia, Kansas, and also teaches at the School of Horology in Columbia, PA. In addition to engraving and teaching, Tira is a moderator of the popular engraver's forum, "The Engraver's Cafe," and is currently serving as Treasurer for the Firearms Engravers Guild of America.

You can learn more about Tira and see examples of her work at her website, www.Engraver.com.

To contact Tira directly, please click here.